Mon Tourism

Mon is a district in the Indian state of Nagaland. It is the home of the Konyak Nagas, the largest amongst the Naga tribes. The Konyak people are well-trained craftsmen and artisans. The wood carvings, daos, guns, headgears and traditional jewelries made by these craftsmen can be found at various villages of this district. The district offers a lot of attractions for the tourists. The Shangnyu village is the most important village in this district and is ruled by the chief, Angh. The village has a prominent wooden structure of 8 ft height and 12 ft breadth with carvings of humans and other beings on it, which is believed to be built by angels. The ethnic village of Chui and Longwa are some of the other major villages in this district which showcase the traditional architecture and age-old sculptures.

Shangphan Wildlife Sanctuary in the Mon district is full of green forested areas and wide variety of natural habitat. Shingphan, Wanching and Tiru are some of the forest in this region rich in timber. Medicinal herbs, plants with wide range of flora and fauna are found in these forests. The Veda Peak is the highest peak in the Mon district. A dazzling view of the river Brahmaputra can be observed from the peak. It also has a beautiful waterfall. Bus services are available from the Kohima, the state capital and Dimapur to reach Mon.

Mon history :
The Mon are the earliest known inhabitants of lower Burma. They founded an empire, and introduced both writing and Buddhism into Burma.Mon In the year 573, two Mon brothers, Prince Samala and Prince Wimala, founded the Mon kingdom Hongsavatoi at the present site of modern Pegu. This kingdom flourished in peace and prosperity for several centuries until it was occupied by the Burman dynasty.

In 1757, the Burma ruler U Aungzeya invaded and devastated the Mon kingdom, killing tens of thousands of Mon, including learned Mon priests, pregnant women, and children. Over 3,000 priests were massacred by the victorious Burmans in the capital city alone. Thousands more priests were killed in the countryside. The surviving priests fled to Thailand, and Burman priests took over the monasteries. Most of the Mon literature, written on palm leaves, was destroyed by the Burmans. Use of the Mon language was forbidden, and Burman became the medium of instruction. Mon people were persecuted, oppressed, and enslaved, and countless people were burned in holocausts, like the Jews before the Nazis. Mon properties and possessions were looted and burned throughout Burma. Mons fled further south into Burma’s Tenasserim Division and east into Thailand.

PLACES TO SEE
Naginimora : This is a spectacular location located in Kongan village and is the one and the only coal mine established in 1907 by the English East India Company. Being 60 kms away from Mon it offers breath-taking views of the near-by spectacles.

Longwa Village : This is an interesting and amazing village. Half of the village lies in India and the other half is controlled by Myanmar. The village is ruled by Angh/chief. The people here are considered to be citizens of India as well as Myanmar. Tegi, Tapi, Tejak and Shumnyu are the rivers flowing here. Both Indian and Myanmar schools can be found here.

Shangnyu Village : Shangnyu village located in Mon district is well-known for its wonderful wood carvings. Experienced and expert artisans bring out marvelous carvings out of wood making use of elementary tools like hand drill, chisel and local dao. It is also a delight to watch 500 year old big wooden carving incorporated in front of Angh’s house. Its height is 190 feet approximately.

Veda Peak : Is about 70 kms away from Mon and registers a highest point in its surroundings. Clear view of the roaring Bhramaputa and Burma is obtained on a bright sunny day. The British first set up their camp and also planted opium here. Gurgling waterfalls originating from this mountain provides an enthralling effect with its gushing pure white waters.

Chenloisho Village : This village consists of a small museum and the skull of a human head displayed here provides strong proof of the head hunting being practiced by the tribes in this region. Ornaments, weapons and articals are also exhibited here.